Snakeskin....

swimmerdude1127

swimmerdude1127

Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
1,925
I just got my first snakeskin knife today and man, what a beauty...

Has anyone ever tried to replicate the "secret recipe" for snakeskin on their own? I've never personally made my own micarta but it seems easy enough if you have time... material (layers of cloth of some sort) and resin/epoxy done the right way.

I'm thinking about trying it out some time just to see what results I can get... if anything it will be a good experience. Maybe I could make my own set of 1911 grips or something, regardless of how it turns out.

A side note, I thought this was interesting... the snakeskin micarta on the SJTAC I got is considerably thinner than the tan micarta on the "Embrace the Suck" SJTAC....
 
Many have tried according to Jerry. One in particular was convinced he could, and has since disappeared, go figure.

Snake skin is a combination of paper, linen, and canvas micartas in layers. I think its that formula that makes it so difficult to replicate, aside from the original maker that is and he seems to not be doing it any more.
 
Yet, I find it strange that snakeskin keeps appearing on new blades . . . :confused:

Go figure. I love the stuff. :thumbup: :cool:
 
To be fair, I've seen the usage go to smaller and smaller batches, and then to smaller knives. If supply is not depleted, it's close.
 
Guyon said:
To be fair, I've seen the usage go to smaller and smaller batches, and then to smaller knives. If supply is not depleted, it's close.
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Yep, thats exactly why nothing youve seen come out is machined. My understanding is its mostly all small scraps that have to be hand shaped because the pieces arent big or thick enough to machine.
 
Snake skin sure is pur-dee!

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leatherman said:
Many have tried according to Jerry. One in particular was convinced he could, and has since disappeared, go figure.

Snake skin is a combination of paper, linen, and canvas micartas in layers. I think its that formula that makes it so difficult to replicate, aside from the original maker that is and he seems to not be doing it any more.
Click to expand...

LOL

I was thinking of that. I was under the impression he "had" made it and it was "hella-easy." Yet we never saw the by-product. IIRC, he also said the colors of the Snakeskin faded with use. Never seen that either.

I'm betting it's not "hard" but expensive-for-the-finished-product type of thing.
 
IIRC, Jerry said, in addition to having only scraps left, they no longer have the programs for the machine to make the patterns. Double-edged sword (Gladius).

It was sweet stuff!
 
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I've never held any but from all the pictures it's my favorite.

I didn't know that it was paper, linen and canvas. That's pretty cool !!!!
 
I've stated this before, but I do find it hard to believe that nobody, not even the original manufacturer can duplicate layering colored pieces of canvas and paper.

And why would Jerry permanently delete a program for a classic design? Why not just archive it? Besides, it's a pretty basic design...they could do it again if they wanted to.
 
Matteo Escobar said:
I've stated this before, but I do find it hard to believe that nobody, not even the original manufacturer can duplicate layering colored pieces of canvas and paper.

And why would Jerry permanently delete a program for a classic design? Why not just archive it? Besides, it's a pretty basic design...they could do it again if they wanted to.
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I have wondered the same thing. It's not like it's rocket science to make snakeskin slabs but hey, what do I know.

As for the pattern, I think LMT66 was talking about the GenIII handle pattern. AFAIK, they no longer have that pattern on their machines. Probably for a similar reason they don't have the ergo logo pattern any more. Just a speculation though. :confused::)
 
I feel like the Tequila and Sandstorm G10 are the new Snakeskin. I do prefer Micarta to G10 though.
 
Sargent 666 said:
I've never held any but from all the pictures it's my favorite.

I didn't know that it was paper, linen and canvas. That's pretty cool !!!!
Click to expand...

It's canvas. But it's got less canvas and more resin. Several colors of resin and at least 2 (bear with me, I'm color blind) of canvas. Lots of work goes into that micarta.
 
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